Should School-Age children with ADHD Be treated with Ritalin and Other Stimulants?

[LalaLand]

Please support your oppinion, Not just a YES or NO.

[tinmuning]

Hi LalaLand. I have no personal experience with ritalin although based on the articles I've read about it, it seems not to be the 1st choice of drug in school-aged children (i.e. 4 year olds), usually it's Dexedrine. I was specially alarmed with the presence of a website devoted to ritalin-related death in children. Lately there are homeopathic remedies which claims to be good alternatives to these adhd drugs. you might want to discuss these as well with the physician.

[themoshx2]

All I can tell you is my own experience. My son was very extreme in his condition. School would have been out of the question without medication. Special education, I'm sure, would be the recommendation. He got to an age where he did not like the way the drug made him feel; and, stopped taking it. When they reach a certain age, and understand their condition, they are better able to control it.

[katsierra]

I don't think anyone under 16 should take meds unless absolutely necessary. Your brain is developing in rapid speed and I would think meds would affect some parts of the brain. I have heard about adhd meds affecting growth in kids. Some kids however will be so hindered if they don't get something, so each case should be dealt with differently.

[pokerman1974]

I know this is old. I believe my son has Inattevive ADD but he has not beeen diagnosed. He is 5. I was never diagnosed but Dr's seem to think I have it along with OCD(which doesnt make sense because there on opposite spectrums of neurotransmiters in the frontal cerebral ??? I know for a fact my parents would have saved me from a lot of grief if they would have put me on meds. Very low self esteeem, Actually decent grades even though I was held back. Chronic substance abuse, Defiant personality Disorder and so much damn anxiety I didnt get laid till I was 20.Anyway yeah your kid needs to be on meds if he wants to live a seminormai life and hopefully not get ripped on like I did. Good luck with your child.

All I can tell you is my own experience. My son was very extreme in his condition. School would have been out of the question without medication. Special education, I'm sure, would be the recommendation. He got to an age where he did not like the way the drug made him feel; and, stopped taking it. When they reach a certain age, and understand their condition, they are better able to control it.

[YellowMellow]

I personally think its the parents decision. Like @themoshx2 said how her child was on it but when they get old enough to control their condition, they can decide if they still want to take the medication or not. With some children that have an extreme case of ADHD the parents might think there is not any other way to control it besides with medication.

[ad11]

I would say no. My wife's son was diagnosed with ADHD at 6 and was given ritalin(long time ago, when it was still experimental), then dexedrine. It did help him focus, pay attention, do his homework etc. But it absolutely killed his appetite. He was already skinny, so this was a concern.

I'd imagine though that every school teacher would like to see every child on it, would make their job easier.

[alumni]

I'd imagine though that every school teacher would like to see every child on it, would make their job easier.

I seriously doubt that.
If every child in the class had been appropriately diagnosed with an attention or hyperactivity disorder, then this would be great for the teacher.
But, given that this would likely be accurate for only a small percentage of the students, the poor teacher would end up dealing with a roomful of kids riding the speed highway and acting like it.
Their job would definitely not be "easier."

[steve12345]

My youngest son has ADHD. It is like PULLING TEETH to get him to do his homework without the drug. AHHHHHH. If he takes to much he is up all night and is like Albert Einstein with all his formulas etc. So you need to regulate the amount so that it lasts till he finishes his homework and then wears off so he can sleep. The drug abused by some but I do not . i hate stimulents as i am a anxious person and need to relax ( beer, glass of wine).

Steve

[ad11]

@alumni Yes you're right, I should have said teachers would like every child with ADHD on it.

[Tece68]

I am new here but wanted share that I am a teacher of special education students with varying emotional issues and I would say no to using any form of drug on children if at all possible. My reasoning is a drug will work some but will need altering constantly, the child will build up a tolerance and it can be forgotten. Teaching a child strategies to understand and cope with their ADD/ADHD issues will help ensure consistency in behavior from day to day.